Breaking the Cannabis Waste Cycle

Cannabis is a plant, therefore it’s biodegradable right? Wrong. Though buds and stems can break down into the soil, there is a plethora of pollutants and waste materials that are produced during the growing, transporting, packaging, to purchasing. Let’s dive deeper into the specific types of waste involved in the marijuana industry.

Breaking the Cannabis Waste Cycle

The graphics above put cannabis waste into perspective. Cannabis waste begins at cultivation, continues through the supply chain cycle and frequently ends up in the landfill. The importance of breaking the cycle is vital to the well-being of our planet. Irresponsible disposal of cannabis byproduct poses a risk to public health and safety and to the environment. It is critical that cannabis byproduct is defined by industry vertical and that the appropriate cannabis disposal standard operating procedures are defined and enforced. This includes but is not limited to composting, recycling, and anaerobic digestion.

Byproduct should be handled by licensed cannabis waste haulers who are licensed to transport cannabis products (i.e. Tyle-11 cannabis distribution licensing). Standard waste hauling is not an option, as in most cases, what is being hauled off-site is not yet waste, it is an unrendered cannabis product. Cannabis waste management companies, like GAIACA, aim to do just that.

If you have any questions about handling your cannabis waste, contact us for a complimentary consultation.